A flicker of light in the sky and thousands of feet of brightness in the world.
The watchman walking through the streets of Yingtian Mansion played his clapper for the last time, and smoke was already rising from the city.
Zhou Ji, the eldest son of Jiang Xiahou, yawned and came out of the side door of Baihua Building and got on the Zhou family's carriage.
He was originally a warrior who had been wielding swords and guns since he was a child, and he was still in the prime of life. However, his body was drained by long-term drinking and debauchery, and beneath his handsome appearance, his steps were weak and stumbling.
Young Master, do you want to go to the palace or go back to the palace? The coachman said respectfully outside the carriage.
Zhou Ji, who was leaning on the soft cushions in the carriage, frowned and thought about it, and said angrily, I'm on duty for the rest of the day, so I'd better go to the palace! After saying that, he yawned and began to close his eyes and fall asleep.
The one who hosted him last night was the commander of the two guard stations on Luzhou Road in Huaixi Province. The two people had been living in that poor place for several years and wanted to go to a rich and good place for some activities. It would be best if
An important canal town like Huai'an can't be built without Xuzhou.
In the Ming Dynasty, warriors now have a high status. Guarding the canal can earn an income of 18,000 yuan a year. Moreover, the old prince does not look at warriors as much as he does civil servants. As long as he does not go too far, he will turn a blind eye.
Eye.
How should I tell the old man when I go back? Zhou Ji touched the warm golden notes in his arms and thought about it in his mind.
In his arms were the resounding gold bills commonly used by Hangzhou cloth merchants, which could be redeemed on sight at major banks in the south of the Yangtze River. One thousand taels apiece, five in total. The other party promised to thank you heavily after the transaction was completed.
The Marquis of Jiangxia's family is not short of money. The old Marquis followed the emperor on various expeditions when he was young, and the family robbed a lot of good things. In addition, the manors, fields, and mines given by the emperor were not enough for generations.
All.
But what Zhou Ji wants is the respect of outsiders, the feeling of others begging him.
Thinking of this, the smile on Zhou Ji's face became a little complicated.
His father, Zhou Dexing, was a playmate from the same village as the old emperor, and the relationship could not have been more cordial. However, after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, everyone else was both a prince and a posthumous king, and his father was a Marquis of Jiangxia.
Moreover, in the past few years, except for being the Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army of the Fifth Army Commander-in-Chief, I have never held any position. You are more expensive, but the authority is that of the Xu family, the Chang family, and the Fu family. It is like Lan Yu.
Those who are a generation younger than him are now on top of the Zhou family.
The old prince is unfair! Zhou Ji snorted in his heart.
We are all brothers who conquer the world together, or they are buddies from the same village. When you become emperor, you are given a title of marquis? When the old man of the family attacked Sichuan, he obviously made more contributions than Tang He, but he was ignored in terms of rewards.
(Tang He was another fellow countryman of Zhu Yuanzhang. He believed in the Duke of the country. He resigned in his later years to restrain his children and died well.)
Moreover, the other heroes are all princes-in-law, and their children hold real power and perform duties. Several brothers from the Zhou family can only serve as bodyguards in the palace.
The commander of the army in front of the palace is Du Si? That sounds nice, but he is not here to show the emperor the gate!
Maybe it was because the wine in his head was still lingering, but Zhou Ji felt that his whole body was getting hot. Since the old emperor refused to promote them, he could only wait for the new emperor to ascend the throne.
His wife is the cousin of the crown princess. Nowadays, people say that the emperor wants to establish a grandson, so Huai Wang Zhu Yunwen also has a chance. As long as Huai Wang ascends to the throne, he is not only a hero in the founding of the country, but also a serious relative, and he should be called the Marquis of the Zhou family.
It's risen.
Thinking of this, Zhou Ji's face was full of smiles, and he leaned leisurely in the carriage, humming the ditty sung by the singer last night.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped suddenly.
Why don't you leave? Zhou Ji asked with his eyes closed.
Young Master! The coachman said carefully outside, someone stopped our carriage!
Who? Zhou Ji opened his eyes and asked.
Jinyiwei!
Zhou Ji in the carriage was stunned for a moment. The Jin Yiwei were the emperor's personal soldiers and had the power to arrest officials without the trial of the three departments. In recent years, the cases of Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong and others have made these executioners steal the show.
Zhou Ji opened the door curtain of the carriage suspiciously, and there stood on the road a row of Jin Yiwei wearing flying fish uniforms and embroidered spring knives. The leader was an acquaintance of his, the deputy commander of the Jin Yiwei, and the commander knew He Guangyi.
He Guangyi is also a hero. His father is the adopted son of the old emperor. He died in the Northern Expedition. He Guangyi's eldest brother also died in the war when he left Lan Yu in 20 years. He is the only one left in the family. The old emperor specially ordered
After entering Jinyiwei, he was given a fourth-grade commanding officer.
How come you guys are so early? Zhou Ji cupped his hands and said with a smile.
He Guangyi is smiling but not smiling. Zhou Dusi, it's getting late and it's already dawn.
Zhou Ji was choked and continued slyly, "Are you guys on official business?"
Looking for you! He Guangyi held the handle of Xiuchun Dao and said with a smile.
Looking for me? Zhou Ji was startled, and then he pretended to laugh, what are you looking for? He said and smiled, what is your command, I am the eldest son of Jiang Xiahou, the military chief in front of the palace.
The prince consort has even been arrested! He Guangyi sneered, if you want to be decent, just follow us!
Where to go? Zhou Ji asked in a trembling voice.
He Guangyi spat out two frightening words: "Jail!"
Three hours later, the sun was already rising in the capital.
The sun is scorching hot in the sky, and the world is full of lively fireworks. Just as it is time to eat, pedestrians are coming one after another on the street, and it is very lively.
But suddenly there was chaos at the end of the long street, and all the pedestrians on the street hid under the eaves in an instant. A group of knights in red flying fish uniforms, riding tall horses, passed through the streets as if there were no other people around.
This is another high-ranking official who is going to be unlucky!
Jin Yiwei passed by, and the crowd immediately began to talk about it.
The people at the emperor's feet are naturally well-informed. In recent years, as long as the royal guards of the brigade are dispatched, there will inevitably be unattainable dignitaries and dignitaries.
Damn, even if I kill those moths, I won’t be relieved!
Our old prince is really rude to these corrupt officials!
Why are you so polite? Corrupt officials should die!
The street became more lively because of this episode. The team of royal guards walked away amidst the discussion of the people, crossed two streets, and stopped in a quiet place. There were two stone lions standing on the gatehouse, with horse tethering posts and meritorious deeds.
Archway in front of the mansion.
Jiangxiahou Mansion.
In the backyard of the mansion, Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia, was sitting in the garden, eating lunch on a hollow red sandalwood table with twisted branches.
He is also an old man with a gray beard, but the martial artist is physically strong and his spirit seems to be relatively strong. The dining table is full of his favorite food, and several pretty maids are standing beside it holding handkerchiefs and wine bottles. Under the table, there are also people lying on their stomachs.
with a little poodle.
The dog was pure white, with not a single stray hair on it. Its black eyes rolled around and it looked at Zhou Dexing as if it could talk.
Come, I’ll reward you with a piece of beef! Zhou Dexing smiled and picked up a large piece of beef and threw it at his feet.
The poodle quickly bit it, lowered its head and started eating.
The imperial court prohibited the private sale of beef, and even prohibited the private slaughter of cattle. Even Zhu Yuanzhang did not eat beef several times a year. But for these heroic nobles, they could eat whatever they wanted at home, and no one dared to care.
Another piece? Zhou Dexing continued to laugh and tease the dog.
At this time, the housekeeper of the Zhou Mansion came over quickly and said in a low voice, Sir, the commander of the Jin Yiwei is here!
Zhou Dexing was stunned and asked in confusion, someone in the family has committed a crime?
No! The housekeeper smiled and said, besides, you are the Marquis of the Ming Dynasty. Even if someone in your family commits an offense, who would dare to come to your door? I see, those royal guards are quite polite.
Zhou Dexing shook his head slightly, it would be no good for a night owl to enter the house! After saying that, he threw another piece of beef to the poodle and let them in!
A moment later, several Jinyi guards followed He Guangyi into the backyard of the Zhou family.
I know He Guangyi, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, who has met the Marquis!
Zhou Dexing took a sip of wine, looked at the other person, and said with a smile, you look really like your father, sit down! After that, he asked again, where are you coming from?
Official business! He Guangyi did not sit down. He turned around and took out a file from his entourage's pocket and placed it directly on Zhou Dexing's table.
Instantly, Zhou Dexing's eyes became sharp.
He could clearly see that there was unwashed blood in the gaps between He Guangyi's fingernails and in the lines on his palms.
We are now a wealthy and idle man, what business do you have with us? Zhou Dexing snorted coldly, but picked up the file and opened it.
Suddenly, it was like being struck by lightning.
The prisoner Zhou Ji confessed, and under the instruction of the Crown Princess Lu, he had an affair with a female official of the Huanyi Bureau and spread rumors in the palace...